Suggestions for repotting Catt?

[Bolero]

Honestly frightened to repot it. As you can see the growths are really outgrowing the pot and the next growths won't even be in the pot anymore. The media has broken down but the last few years it has flowered incredibly well. Should it be repotted and divided?

It has an AM and an AD (Award of Distinction). This year it didn't flower as well as the award year but still a wonderful plant. All suggestions appreciated to keep this one going, even if it needs to be divided.

Cattleya Dal's Buddy 'Vaso' AM/AOC, AD/AOC

[No-Pro-mwa]

Good luck, can't help you with re-potting. But I am going to have to under take this job in the future as well.

Just wanted to say that is an amazing color, i love it.

[Orchid Whisperer]

Outstanding plant and flowers!

When finished blooming, what I suggest is clipping the rhizome behind the 4th or 5th pseudo bulb from the "front" (newest part of the plant). don't un- pot yet, leave it for a month or 2 after that, new leads will start growing from the back bulbs. Those hooked clippers for a dog's claws are perfect for severing rhizomes BTW.

When new growth is happening on the old and new sections, that is a good time to repot, medium & container that suits you.

[FSUOrchids]

Yeah, the best time for dividing is during active growth season.

[Leafmite]

Wow! I love those blooms! Very nice cattleya!

[tucker85]

Personally I don't like to divide cattleyas unless it's necessary. Personally I would put the entire plant in a slightly larger pot with some chunky cattleya mix. I wouldn't repot until it's finished blooming though.

[Bolero]

Thanks guys that is a lot of help. It's a great plant and I don't want to lose it but you've given me some great ideas on how to proceed.

Appreciate it.

[GardenTheater]

Beautiful blooms. No suggestions on repotting.

[Chatbud]

Originally Posted by tucker85

Personally I don't like to divide cattleyas unless it's necessary. Personally I would put the entire plant in a slightly larger pot with some chunky cattleya mix. I wouldn't repot until it's finished blooming though.

Hi tucker85, why is dividing Catts not recommended? Cos dividing weakens a plant significantly and may take a long long time to recover?
(Would it nv recover??)


I'm asking cos I just got this divided Catt (4 pbulbs) 3 weeks ago. I see 1-2 root tips appearing and I think I see a purple "eye" as well (new pbulb?) at the base.
But I'm not liking the speed at which the roots are growing - seem real slow.

Could this sluggishness be due to the fact it got weakened due to the division?
Or am I just being impatient? (3 weeks to a month since I potted it in bark)